Match Report- Keswick 2nds v Ambleside 17 September 2016

But after receiving notice from Furness they were unable to raise a team, Keswick were very happy to be hosting Ambleside who came through at short notice.

The first half of the game was dominated by both sides defences. Keswick's young side, ably led by the evergreen Tim Green, tackled very well and stopped a number of try scoring opportunities from Ambleside. James Hinckley and Joe Quail were prominent in counter rucking and keeping a strong Ambleside team from scoring.

After long periods in defence, the score was opened by Keswick with a try by Christian Sellars. Jamie Wilson was unable to convert so the score was 5 - 0 to Keswick. Just before half time, Ambleside levelled the scores with a good try following a blind side break by the fly half. 5-5 at half time. At this point, it looked as though Keswick were in for a hard second period.

The second half started much the same as the first with defences to the fore. Five minutes in, Tim Green broke down the blindside to score a well worked try. Again the conversion was missed so the score was 10-5. Five minutes later, it was that man Green again who bustled his way over the line for his second try. This time Jamie Wilson converted from the touchline with an excellent kick to take the score to 17- 5.

Ambleside never gave up and kept pressing but Keswick's defence became stronger and they did not look like scoring again. Keswick added a further try through Matthew Scott who finished well in the corner after a good backs move. Jamie Wilson converted again from the touchline with a little bit of help from a bounce on the crossbar. Final score Keswick 24 Ambleside 5.

Overall this was an excellent first game of the season played in a very good spirit. It even saw a father and son combination playing together with Frank Hewitt-Smith coming on to join his son Alexander for a short period towards the end of the game. The team gelled very well considering this was the first game. The challenge is now to keep the second-team going at strength for the rest of the season and to keep the good results coming in. This was a good start and the celebrations afterwards with a Ladies Prosecco night being organised and live music being provided were a fitting end to a good day.